“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Hebrews 9:14
Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Heavenly Father all participated in the redemption of humanity. Each one did their part. If Jesus had not had the support of the Holy Spirit, it would have been impossible for redemption to be fulfilled. It was the eternal Spirit of God that filled Jesus with His holy presence and gave Him the strength so that He could go to the Cross and offer His life and blood to God. In this way the Cross became an altar. He did all of this because of the deep love that He has for each one of us.
When the Lord gave instructions to the people of Israel, He explained to them why it was necessary to offer an animal and how the blood poured out would bring atonement. He said, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17: 11). The way in which redemption was to be carried out was established within the divine law. For example, in Exodus 21:23 it says, “But if there is a serious injury, you are to take life for life.
All of us who believe should receive the revelation of the Cross, because if we participate in the death of Christ, we will also participate in His resurrection. If we suffer with Him, we will also reign with Him. This revelation is like when parents lose their only son, a very difficult situation for anyone to have to live through. It causes such a deep pain that no matter how much someone may try, you cannot be consoled. This is what the prophet Zechariah referred to when he said, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son” (Zechariah 12:10).
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Dr. Derek Prince spoke of a vision that he once had. The Lord used it to bring greater understanding to his life about the power of the Cross. In it the Lord told him, “Of the three crosses on Calvary, to whom did the one in the middle belong? Think hard before you respond.” So he thought hard, and realized that that cross was not made for Jesus, but for Barabbas. “So Jesus took the place of Barabbas?” the Lord asked.
“Yes Lord,” Dr Prince responded.
“I thought Jesus had taken your place?” the Lord said. In that moment, Dr. Derek Prince understood that we are all like Barabbas, and that Jesus had to take our place, carrying our punishment to give us redemption.
TODAY’S DECLARATION
“The blood of Jesus covers me, the grace of the Lord accompanies me, the power of the Lord frees me.”
Today’s post is an excerpt from Pastor Cesar Castellanos’ book, Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year: Volume One.
TODAY’S BIBLE READING
- Old Testament: Genesis 18-20; Psalms 7
- New Testament: Matthew 4:1-11; Acts 4:23-37
